Help Wanted: Second Receiver

[Zod]

If we learned one thing in the 2013 season opener, its that the Panthers are severely lacking in the receiver department.

 

The roster consists of Steve Smith and a bunch of other guys not named Steve Smith.

 

 

Just glancing at the box score tells you all you need to know. While Seattle had 8 players receive passes for positive yards, the Panthers had only four. Only two of those four players are wide receivers. Tedd Ginn's single 10 yard reception saved the team from featuring a Steve Smith exclusive receiving day.

 

If you have only one receiver in this league, you won't be winning many games.

 

So what happened to the most promising receiving corps in camp and preseason the Panthers have seen in years? Lets take a look....

 

Brandon Lafell - Played all but four offensive snaps and failed to get adequate separation. Was open on a single long ball, but was overthrown by Cam Newton. Lafell is in a contract year and needs to showcase what he can do. With that type of incentive, we are seeing him at his absolute best as a pro. Some would argue that the Seahawks defensive backs were just too good for Lafell. I would argue if that is the case, Lafell just is not good enough. Lafell needs a great game against Buffalo to redeem himself.

 

Tedd Ginn - Played twenty two snaps and had a single ten yard reception while being covered by Seattle DB Richard Sherman. To be fair, he was open a number of times down field, blowing by the Seattle defenders, but was not thrown to. Ginn appears to be our best hope at this point for a second receiver. The Panthers may be wondering if they should have played him with the first string more in the preseason to help develop his chemistry with Cam Newton.

 

Armanti Edwards - Played one snap on Sunday and posted a single run block. At least that is something. Armanti had the best camp and preseason of his career. Apparently he has not earned the coaches trust enough to give him a chance.

 

Domenik Hixon - Was inactive due to an injury. Hixon was vocal in saying he thought he could play and was puzzled by his inactive status. If that is the case, I expect Hixon to play on Sunday against the Bills. Hixon rose to the challenge in preseason, can he do it again?

 

 

If there is any hope for a Panthers post season, one of these players must rise to the occasion. It all starts this weekend in Buffalo, gentlemen.

 

Lets see if we can get this open position filled.

 

 

 

[Jakob]

Dwayne Jarrett come on down...

[PantherBrew]

Not that it means anything, but Rivera said that they were still being cautious with Armanti's hammy, and that they would feature him more next week. 

 

 

[AceBoogie]

“When LaFell first got here, I didn’t think he was going to be a guy to step up,” -Steve Smith

[RoaringRiot]

I saw LaFell open a few times. I felt like it was more Cam being locked on Smitty and Olsen.

[Jackofalltrades]

I'm just assuming the quality of their secondary made Cam conservative, as a result he stuck with short and intermediate passes to the guys he trusted the most.

It's also Week 1, which tends to be strange in any case so I'm not that worried about it. If it continues in Buffalo I'll consider it a HUGE problem.

[Riverboat Ron]

I know a guy who is perpetually open...cough cough...David Gettis...cough cough...

[Zod]

I know a guy who is perpetually open...cough cough...David Gettis...cough cough...

 

No one next to him on the couch?

[Chaos]

I know a guy who is perpetually open...cough cough...David Gettis...cough cough...

Agreed. You typically don't have defenders draped all over you when working in the kitchen of a Denny's.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[Panthro]

We really need a big tall possession wr. Someone Can can trust besides Olsen and Smith.

There were not really any available in FA if I recall.

I hope they sign Nicks. I hate looking towards next year's FA already

[Lakelover]

Is it just me....I went to FanFest...watched most of the pre season snaps for Cam...and then the Seahawks game and Cam only looks for Smith and Olsen.    Is it me? (For right now I'm thinking this trait....to lock in on receivers....is what separates Cam from the truly elite talent in the league).  

[MadHatter]

What we REALLY need is the Old Cam back.

 

Cam is a big armed, big play QB.  He is a gunslinger and has the ability to make big plays.

 

I am not sure if it was his focus on not turning the ball over.....or too much respect for the Hawks secondary....or the coaching.  But, he MUST take shots down the field for this offense to be effective.

 

Don't get me wrong....this is not a bash Cam post.  Only that we need him to trust his arms and let it fly. 

[Zod]

Is it just me....I went to FanFest...watched most of the pre season snaps for Cam...and then the Seahawks game and Cam only looks for Smith and Olsen.    Is it me? (For right now I'm thinking this trait....to lock in on receivers....is what separates Cam from the truly elite talent in the league).  

 

Cam definitely locks in one one receiver. I don't know if you can tell from the stands or on television, but he rarely scans the entire field.

[RoaringRiot]

Is it just me....I went to FanFest...watched most of the pre season snaps for Cam...and then the Seahawks game and Cam only looks for Smith and Olsen. Is it me? (For right now I'm thinking this trait....to lock in on receivers....is what separates Cam from the truly elite talent in the league).

No it's not just you....I said it a few posts ago.